Static UK cruise market seen 2012, next year 2% growth
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 06 November 2012 06 November 2012
Latest UK cruise industry figures released by the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) at the World Travel Market estimate that 1.72million Brits will take an ocean cruise this year, 20,000 passengers more than the 1.70 million carried in 2011.
This has been achieved despite a challenging year for the industry following the January Concordia incident, and a protracted subdued UK economic climate for consumers that has seen market falls in many other sectors of the holiday industry.
Some eight out of ten UK cruise sales come through Britain’s travel agents, spearheaded by those specially trained to advise on cruise options through the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE).
As a sign of continued confidence, nearly $5 billion has been invested globally by the industry in six major new cruise ships launched this year, and a further $3.2billion will be spent on six more ships scheduled to enter service next year. Long term orders stretch out at an even higher level to 2015, representing more than $12 billion of investment in new ships over the next three years alone
For 2013, the PSA is predicting a growth of more than 2% in UK cruises to 1.76 million passengers, on the back of continued investment in new and refurbished cruise ships, a fiercely competitive market, and the continued popularity of ex-UK port cruises.“There is no doubt that the cruise industry faced a unique set of challenges this year;” said PSA director William Gibbons, “ but our UK figures show that the cruise sector has outperformed the rest of the holiday sector. The sheer diversity of cruises offered by our 41 members, coupled with unrivalled value for money has helped to attract the ‘new to cruise customer’, key to boosting growth within our sector.”
“The undiminished investment in new ships and product innovation is also encouraging with six new cruise ships commissioned in 2012, and six more are scheduled for launch in each of the next three years. There is no doubt that value will still be an absolute priority for UK holiday makers in 2013 and a cruise is one of the best ways to have a unique experience whatever your holiday budget.”
TUI Cruises orders second cruise ship from STX Finland
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 05 November 2012 05 November 2012
TUI Cruises announced today that the company confirms the order of a second cruise ship from STX Finland. The production of the second ship will start in summer 2013 and it will be delivered from STX Finland's Turku Shipyard in spring 2015.
The sophisticated and highly innovative 99,300 GRT cruise ship will be approx. 294 metres long and approx. 36 metres wide. The ship will have 1,250 staterooms, serve 2,500 passengers and have a crew of 1,000 persons. The cruise ship will have many environmentally friendly features, with a particular emphasis on the vessel's energy efficiency.
"We are extremely pleased that TUI Cruises confirmed the order of the sister ship for magnificent Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship. We have today reached this milestone of production start of the first ship after well performed and intensive basic design phase. After this production start, manning on this project will increase significantly during the coming months to reach the maximum level before summer next year", says Jari Anttila, EVP and COO of STX Finland.
"After being just four years in the business and after successfully putting two ships on the market - Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 - we are proud to proceed with building our first new ship and that way continue the growth of our fleet", says Richard J. Vogel, CEO of TUI Cruises. He continues, "We have been extremely busy with the planning over the past two years, but now things are really starting to move."
RCCL raises note offering to $650 million, coupon 5.25%
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 05 November 2012 05 November 2012
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the second largest cruise shipping group in the world, has increased the amount of 10 year senior unsecuted notes it will offer to $650 million from $500 million.
“The Senior Unsecured Notes were priced at 100% of the principal amount, will bear interest at the rate of 5.250% per annum and will mature on November 15, 2022. The Senior Unsecured Notes are expected to be issued on November 7, 2012,” RCCL said, adding that it plans to use the proceeds from the offering to repay amounts outstanding under its unsecured debt facilities.
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